Boy had seizure from food poisoning at TUI hotel on first holiday abroad
A seven-year-old boy almost died after getting severe food poisoning from a TUI holiday resort in Egypt.
Ethan McNally-Roberts was on his first holiday abroad in May with mum Natalie and dad John when they were all struck down with a bug.
John began suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting on their second day at the Jaz Mirabel Beach Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh, while Natalie and Ethan fell sick a few days later.
But the trip went even further downhill as Ethan ended up in intensive care and suffered a seizure, where he choked, stopped breathing and needed resuscitation.
He had to be flown home in an air ambulance on June 12, more than three weeks after the Somerset family arrived.
Ethan was admitted to hospital in Bristol, but he still requires regular monitoring of his kidneys to this day.
His mum said: ‘What we went through was nothing short of traumatic. John and I were so scared that Ethan might die.
‘No parent should have to go through what we did, it’s something that will take years to overcome. At times, we weren’t even allowed into the hospital in Egypt to see him. It was terrifying.’
She added the effects of the treatment in Egypt have psychologically impacted her son.
‘He’s truly our hero for how he’s coped with all that he had to endure,’ she said.
‘I really wish we could turn back time and not go to Egypt, but sadly that’s not possible. While we can’t change anything, what we’ve had to endure is unacceptable and we demand some answers.’
According to lawyers at Irwin Mitchell, the family were not the only people who’ve fallen ill on a TUI holiday in Egypt.
Jan Hughes, 50, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, stayed at the sister building, Jaz Mirabel Park Hotel, between July 4 and 11.
She booked the holiday with her husband, Mark, their children and their families to celebrate her birthday.
But she was hospitalised upon her return to the UK after experiencing hallucinations, high temperatures, nausea and diarrhoea.
She was diagnosed with salmonella and a kidney injury, but has ongoing gastric issues four months later.
Jan said: ‘When I think back, I recall the buffet being left uncovered and new food being added on top of existing food. There were often flies buzzing around it too, and I saw a lot of people using their hands instead of the utensils.
‘I’m still not completely better and I know I can’t change what’s happened, but I feel like I deserve to know how I fell so seriously ill.’
Hannah Clifford, the lawyer representing the families, said: ‘Their dream trips turned into nightmares after they were struck down with gastric symptoms.
‘In both cases, things went from bad to worse when hospital treatment was needed. Two of our clients also went on to suffer kidney damage, which is very worrying.
‘The effects of gastric illness should never be downplayed as it can potentially lead to serious health conditions, as were the situations here.’
A TUI spokesperson said: ‘We are sorry to hear of these experiences. As this is now a legal matter, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.